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Removing yard waste

We have moved into a house with a yard that has not been well maintained. There are all sorts of things stored in the garden, from old car bodies and parts through to bits of an old shed or garden bed that is still sitting in the middle of the yard. I am getting all of this rubbish removed because I want to plant a new beautiful garden and have a nice area for the kids to play in. This blog has some tips on how to make rubbish removal from an old yard as easy and stress free as possible.

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Removing yard waste

Give Your Dog Insulin Injections? Follow These Sharps Protection and Disposal Tips

by Bill Clark

Nobody likes giving their dog injections. The dog doesn't know what you're doing is helping them, and there's always a chance you'll prick yourself because the dog started panicking or simply because you didn't exert proper care.

Unfortunately, injections are probably going to be something you need to get used to if your dog has diabetes. With that in mind, you should know how to inject your dog without putting yourself in harm's way. If you don't, you could inject yourself with a bit of their insulin or jab yourself after the needle has been in their body. That's not something you want, so here are just five tips to follow for proper sharps collection.

1. Use Your Dominant Hand

If your dog does start to panic or move around, you might start moving your arms around to stop them without looking at where the needle is going, making it more likely that you'll prick yourself. One of the best ways to prevent this happening is by using your dominant hand. If you write right-handed, that's your dominant hand. People are more used to carrying items in their dominant hand, so you should be more aware of how you're holding the needle and how close it's coming to your body.

2. Don't Push All the Way Through

It's common for dog owners to push the needle all the way through a fold in their dog's skin when they need to carry out an insulin injection. When the needle comes out the other side, it might hit you instead. To prevent this happening, pinch some loose skin on your dog's neck or back, then insert the needle into the fold instead of through it.  

3. Replace the Needle Cap Immediately After Use

Once you've carried out the injection successfully, you might be in such a rush to calm or treat your dog that you forget about the needle. Alternatively, the needle might just slip your mind. Instead, make replacing the needle cap the first thing you do after completing the injection. It only takes a few moments, and you'll be protecting yourself from future pricks.

4. Store Used Needles in a Proper Container

When you have an injection at hospital, you'll notice the nurse or doctor who did it immediately puts the needle in a special disposal box. These are puncture-proof and designed specifically for needles -- you need one if you give your dog injections. If you put your needles right in with the rest of the trash, they might poke through the bag and prick you or your garbage collector.

5. Arrange Proper Sharps Disposal

Finally, make sure you arrange proper sharps disposal. Arranging at-home collection can be tough, though it is possible, but what you can do is find a local sharps disposal drop-off point where needles can be safely collected and then disposed of.

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